The bite is painless and doesn't itch; so ticks may go unnoticed for a few days.

After feeding on blood, ticks become quite swollen and easy to see.

Ticks eventually fall off on their own after sucking blood for 3 to 6 days.

Causes

The wood tick (dog tick) is the size of a watermelon seed and can sometimes transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever.

The deer tick is between the size of a poppy seed (pin head) and an apple seed, and can sometimes transmit Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease

The risk of Lyme disease following a recognized deer tick bite in a high risk area is estimated to be only 1.4%.

Almost all infections start with a bull’s eye rash (called erythema migrans) at the site of the tick bite. Treatment of erythema migrans with 14 days of an antibiotic almost always prevents the development of later stages of Lyme Disease (arthritis, heart disease and neurologic disease).

The routine use of antibiotics following tick bites to prevent Lyme disease is not recommended.

If the tick is still attached to the skin, it will need to be removed.

Covering the tick with petroleum jelly, nail polish, rubbing alcohol or a soapy cotton ball doesn't work. Neither does touching the tick with a hot or cold object.

Try one of the following techniques:

Wood Tick Removal: Use a Tweezers

Use a tweezers and grasp the tick close to the skin (on its head).

Hold the tweezers parallel to the skin surface.

Pull the wood tick straight upward without twisting or crushing it.

Maintain a steady pressure until it releases its grip.

If tweezers aren't available, use fingers, a loop of thread around the jaws, or a needle between the jaws for traction.

Deer Tick Removal: Tiny deer ticks need to be scraped off with a finger nail or credit card edge.

Tick's Head: If the wood tick's head breaks off in the skin, remove it.

Clean the skin with rubbing alcohol.

Use a sterile needle to uncover the head and lift it out.

If a small piece of the head remains, the skin will eventually shed it.

If most of the head is left, call your doctor.

Antibiotic Ointment: Wash the wound and your hands with soap and water after removal to prevent catching any tick disease. Apply antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin to the bite once (no prescription needed).

An advantage over using DEET is that they are applied to and left on clothing instead of skin. Apply it to clothes, especially pants cuffs, socks and shoes. You can also put it on other outdoor items (mosquito screen, sleeping bags).

Do not apply Permethrin to skin (Reason: it's rapidly degraded on contact with skin)

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.